Trenia L. Cox is known as much for her advocacy roles as well as the multiple roles she assumed during her nineteen years of service at the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), a local funding source to promote the healthy development of youth and families.In her last role as Senior Special Projects Coordinator, she was dedicated to building the partnership of the Faith-based community with JWB through capacity building, technical assistance, and innovative programming to better address the needs of at-risk populations.In addition to the above responsibilities, Ms. Cox worked with local community stakeholders and their organizations to enhance the impact of the Juvenile Welfare Board in high need communities.

Ms. Cox earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Sociology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Michigan. Also, she is a graduate of Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute (2013) and Leadership Pinellas (2003).For eight years, Ms. Cox was an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Ms. Cox lends her time and talent to a number of professional and community endeavors. Currently, she is Chair of the United Way’s Federal Emergency Management Community Advisory Committee, who is charged with the disbursement of local funds for safety net services.She was appointed by the St. Petersburg’s City Council to serve on the Social Services Allocation Committee to address the needs of the homeless population, recently elected as Chair.For the Juvenile Welfare Board, she was the lead staff member assigned to Family Oriented Concept Unified to Serve (FOCUS), a network of faith-based leaders and social service providers for technical assistance. Additionally, she is credited with four national presentations to the Child Welfare League of America, three presentation at the National Faith-based Symposium, and the National Association of Planning Councils on the value of social capitalism, community planning, and faith-based engagement.

Her professionalism and volunteerism has not gone unnoticed.She was recently recognized by the Office of U.S. Representative Kathy Castor and the City of St. Petersburg City Council as one of the 2014 First Ladies in African American History. She was also a finalist for the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year Award, and Human Rights Hero Award in 2006.Former and current affiliations include:National Forum for Black Public Administrators, National Association of Planning Councils, National Association of Human Rights Organization, Child Welfare League of America, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where she served as President.

In her spare time, Ms. Cox serves as a mentor to at-risk youth and young professional women. Her current advocacy efforts are focused on the educational achievement gap, juvenile justice reform, and the pipeline to prison.

Ms. Cox is widowed with two adult children and resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.